Remote inventory control system



July 13, 1948;

Filed April 15, 1940 E. W. E. KAMM EI'AL INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM REMOTE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Edmund WEKamm JohnJ. Delaney.

I INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

July 13, 1948. E, w, E, M ETAL v 2,445,291

REMOTE INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed April 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I7 Fey. 2 I57 I- I- I I Ill Edmund W. E. Kamm John J. DeLaney S ATTORNEY.

July 13, 1948. w KAMM ETAL 2,445,291

REMOTE INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed April 15, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet a /05 u/ 63 Z 75 m5 ms 9s.

Lzz Edmund. W E. Kamm John J Delaney.

l3 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY.

mmoarconfrnonsysramp Edmund w. a. 1mm and John J. Delaney, Fort Wayne; Ind animal-s to 8. F. Bowler icomraw. ration of Incorporated, Fortwaynalnd aeor c- Application April 15,1949, Serial session 1 16 Claims. 7 invention relates to anism which is adapted to be intermittently endispensing units 'acting individually or simultaneously, and which is adapted to actuate a check controlled apparatus; The latter acts,

through the system, to prevent operation of the dispensing units when a predetermined quantity of liquid has been dispensed therefrom.

a system and mech- I erg ized by a lurality of remotely located liquid.

1 I apparatus, but it is obvious one check controlled that the number of unitswhich can be connected is not limited to three, but may be two or more. This will appear mor fully in the bodyof the specification; 7

An object of the invention is to provide a simple; rugged and inexpensive motion addinl mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a The check controlled apparatus referred to is 10 remotely controlled t ry control system. that fully disclosed in the application of Robert Yet another object oi'the invention is to pro- H; Damon et al., Serial Number 303,036, filed vide an electrically operated control system which November 6, 1939, now Patent Ila-2,247,480. That will be accurate and whichwill at the same time application also discloses the means for locking be flexible. the fill pipe which applicants use. 5 Still another. object of the invention is to pro- Where a plurality of dispensing pumps are convide a remote check controlled dispensing system, nected tothe same tank, as is often the case in control of which iscentered in a single check conlargefilling stations. the inventory control systrolled unit. tern mentioned above requires a check controlled Another object of the invention is to provide a apparatus to be installed on each dispensing unit; remote check controlled dispensing system in and there must be deposited in each ch k con.- which the check controlled apparatus may be distrolled apparatus at least one check or token in pos i a pl ce accessible o y to ut e pe order that the dispenser with which it is consons. i Y p 3 nected 'may operate. Consequently, if six dis- These and o h objects w l am ppar nt pensers are connected to a tank, six tokens reprefrom a study of the specification and the drawings senting three hundred gallons of gasoline are tied which are t d r o n made a part hereup in the'check controlled devices. of, and in which: g

with applicants mechanism onl one of the F gure 1 is a plan view of the imp l e com relatively complicated check controlled devices is i s a p a us ith he o i e oved showrequiredto controlanyreasonable n b of diaing the solenoids and their associated mechapensers and only one token need be tied up in the nismsdevice at one time. If more tha n t k 15 Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device viewed inserted, the entiregallonage represented thereby from the bottom of Figure 1. v is available at any one of the dispensers'so that Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line the entire dispensing system is thus rendered 3 o Fi ure 1 showing the gearing. m flexible, Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line h t k refining operation is also im lifi d 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the central ratchet assince the amount of fuel capacity available can ybe determined by removing the tokens from one Figure 5 is sectmnfil View taken the line check controlled device instead of a plurality of 40 of Figure 1 showing an end ratchet n s them 1 in I assembly.

. It is also possible to operate a system of a m- Figure 6 is a plan view of a switch and its oprality of dispensing units each connected to a mechanism separate tank to of diner Figure 7 is 8. diaxrammatic View of the System groupings but all connected to a single check showing the connections between the dispensing controlled apparatus. The inventory. checkup units Switches and solenoldfl- 1 would be more'mvolv'ed in such a Sm v Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 'I'he'tinvention the one: contro H '3 Figure 'apparaustobe' posedinasafe acesuchas inside the filling station building so that vandsl- I m 973 ism may be prevented. is possible because Referring first to the diagrammatic view of the the invention contemplates a remotely controlled system, Figure 7, in which is indicated a plu- "app'aratus. f' I rality of filling-station pumps indicated generally This application" discloses an apparatus which by the character. A, uch pumps usually comprise is capable orconnecting three dispensing units to a motor I, a pump 3 having a relief valve, an air 3 separator 9, a meter 1 and a register 9. All of the pumps are shown connected to a common suction line II which communicates with a tank I3 having a locked fill pipe. The usual motor switches I9 and controls therefor are also provided.

Connected to be driven by the meter, and as shown, disposed between the meter and register and driven by shaft I9, is the impulse sending mechanism shown in Figure 6. This mechanism is indicated generally by the character B and will be fully described below. The contacts of the switch are connected on one side by wires II to the corresponding solenoids ll of the impulse combining apparatus indicated generally by the character 0, and on the other side through the hot" sides of the switches I4 by wires I9 and thence by I9, through the switch I9 of the check controlled apparatus indicated generally by character D and through wire 2i to the main at 23.

The solenoids I! are connected by wires 29 preferably through the cold" sides of the motor switches i9 and by wires 22 to the main at 29.

Impulse sending means Referring now to Figure 6 which illustrates the impulse sending mechanism B, the shaft I! may be the meter shaft or any shaft which is rotated in accordance with the volume of the liquid dispensed.

The shaft is rotated in the direction of the arrow, that is, counter-clockwise, and it carries a hub 21 which is provided with a projecting finger 29.

A slide 3i provided with two slots 33, 35 is mounted to engage a pair of spaced, fixed pins 31 which enter the slots. A shoulder 39 is formed on the slide in a position to be engaged by the finger 29. A lug 4| is formed on an exterior edge of the slide and is adapted to pick up and release a spring metal switch actuator 93 which is fixed at 95 to the body of the switch 99 and which engages a switch button 44.

The switch is held normally open by the pressure of element. 43.

A spring 5| is anchored at one end on a fixed pin 53 and is attached at its other end to the slide 3| and serves to urge the slide toward the position in which the upper ends of the slots engage the pins 31.

It will be seen that as the shaft I5 rotates, finger 29 will engage shoulder 39 and the slide will be moved upwardly against the action of the spring 6|. As projection ll passes the lever 93, the latter will bend and permit the lug to pass. As soon as projection 29 disengages the shoulder. sprin 9| will return the slide to its lowermost position; and as the lug 4| passes lever 43 it will lift it from contact with the switch button so that the switch will be momentarily closed and then immediately re-opened by 43. Thus there is no possibility that the dispensing device can be stopped with the switch 49 held closed.

Impulse combining mechanism Figures 1, 2 and 3 disclose the impulse combining mechanism which comprises a mounting plate 55 upon which are mounted the solenoids II.

A plurality of standards 51, I9, 59 and 99 are preferably cast integrally with the mounting plate and are variously perforated to receive shafts. A plurality of posts 9|, 92, 63 ar also mounted on the plate in alignment with the solenoids.

Each solenoid is provided with a reciprocable armature 95 which carries a crossh'ead 91 at its 4 outer end. A rack 99 is pivotally mounted; on each crosshead and each rack is provided with a pilot bearing II which enters an opening in the associated post. The pilot bearing is threaded and a nut 12 mounted thereon serves to limit the outward movement of the armature. A spring 13 is provided between each post and its associated rack to hold thenut in contact with the post except when the solenoid is energized. Contact of the armature with a fixed plug piece in the solenoid (not shown) limits the inward stroke of the armature and its associated parts.

Referring now to Figure 5, the standard is provided with an opening I9 into which is driven a headed and shouldered pin I9. A holding pawl 11 is pivotaliy mounted on the pin. Another opening 19 is formed in the standard and a hollow flanged bushing 9| is pressed therein.

A 24-tooth miter gear 93 comprises a hub which is provided with portionsof reduced diameter indicated at and 81. On the portion 99 is loosely mounted for rotation a combined gear and pawl carrier 99. On the portion 91 is fixed a four-tooth ratchet 9| which is adapted to be engaged by the pawl 93 which is mounted on carrier 89 and also by the holding pawl 11 described above. Both pawls are spring urged into engagement with said ratchet.

A stub shaft 95 which is provided with a shoulder 9! and a head 99 is inserted in the bushing 9i and held therein by a nut. The gear 83 rotates freely on the shaft between the head thereof and the end of bushing 9|.

It will thus be seen that as gear 89 is actuated by rack 69, the ratchet 9i will be advanced one tooth for each actuation and the gear 93 will accordingly be rotated a distance of eight teeth per actuation.

The standard 59, Figure 4, is provided with a holding pawl I9I mounted in a manner similar to pawl ll. The standard is also provided with a bearing I93, and the reduced portion I99 of the hub of a 24-tooth miter gear I99 is rotatably supported in said bearing.

A four-tooth ratchet I91 is fixedly mounted on the end of the hub to hold the hub in place in the bearing.

A shaft I99 passes through the huh I 93 and is piloted at one end in a counterbore III in shaft 95. The other end of shaft I99 passes through the hub of a 24-tooth miter gear III which is pinned to the shaft.

Mounted between gear H3 and ratchet I91 is a flanged collar H5 upon which is mounted for free rotation the gear sector and pawl carrier I ii. The sector is driven by a rack 69 and the pawl I I9 carried by the sector advances the ratchet I91 and gear I95 one-quarter revolution upon each actuation.

Shown clearly in Figure 1 is a differential spider 9 which is pinned to shaft I99. The carrier is provided with radial stub'shafts I2I upon which are mounted 24-tooth miter gears I23 which mesh with the gears 93 and I 95 described above.

It will thus be seen that the rotation of the two miter gears in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from the left, Figures 4 and 5, would induce a counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft I99 by means of the differential connection. This movement would have an amplitude equivalent to the sum of the individual movements of the two gears. Accordingly, the gear I I3 is advanced in a counter-clockwise direction so that the compounded movement is made a part of the movement of the second differential. However, due to the speed reducing effect of the diflerential mechanism, an'advance of eight teeth on either the gear 93 or the gear I93 will cause only a four-tooth advance or a one-eighth rotation of the gear II3. Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the standard 39 is provided with a holding pawl I25 similar to the pawls 11- and IIII. A shaft I21 extends through a bearing I29 in the standard and through a flanged collar I3I which rotates loosely upon the shaft.

A four-tooth ratchet I33 is fixed to the collar at the end of the collar and a sector and pawl carrier I35 rotates freely on the collar between the flange and the ratchet. A pawl I31 on the pawl carrier engages the ratchet and is adapted to rotate it in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2.

An eighteen-tooth'spur gear I39 is fixed to the other end of the collar so that the ratchet, collar and gear turn as a unit on the shaft.

Mounted on the standard 69 is a stub shaft I which carries a hub I43 upon which are mounted in spaced relation a 36-tooth and a 2'1- tooth gear I44 and I46 respectively. The former meshes with gear I39 fixed to the collar while the latter meshes with a 27-tooth gear I45 which is pinned to shaft I 21 The inner end of the shaft I21 is piloted in the end of shaft I09 and has pinned to it a 24-tooth miter gear I41.

The gearing just described serves to reduce the one-quarter revolution per gallon of the ratchet I33 to one-eighth of a revolution at the miter gear I41.

A differential carrier I49 is mounted by means of a huh I 5i on shaft I21. The carrier is provided with stub shafts I53 upon which are mounted two 24-tooth differential miter pinions I55 which are adapted to mesh with miter gears H3 and I41.

A 48-tooth miter gear I51 is also mounted on the carrier I49 and drives a 24-tooth miter gear I59 which is in turn fixed to a 36-tooth spur gear IBI. The latter is in mesh with a 36-tooth idler gear I63 which in turn drives an l8-tooth gear I35. The latter gear is fixed to a shaft I61 which is held against axial movement by a stop I59 and which is provided with a key I1I or other driving means which engages a mating part I 13 in the check controlled apparatus D. The gears I3I, I63 and, I 65 are all suitably positioned by means of bosses formed on the mounting plate 55.

It will be seen that the gearing between the carrier I49 and shaft I61 has the effect of making the shaft rotate four revolutions for each revolution of the pawl carrier. This is designed on the basis of a meter shaft I5 which makes four revolutions a gallon and a check controlled device which requires one revolution per gallon of the element I13. Where the ratios vary, the gearing will have to be changed accordingly. I

Where the system is to be used in connection with dispensing units connected to different tanks, it will be necessary to use registers, preferably of the resettable type, one of which is connected to be actuated by the gearing which rotates in proportion to the sum of the impulses received from all of the pumps connected with the same tanks.

As shown in Figure 1, we shall assume that two pumps which are connected with a single tank have their sender units B connected to energize the upper two solenoids while the third pump is connected to energize the lower solenoid.

To indicate the total gallonage removed from the tank by the two pumps, the register I13 is provided. It has a gear I13 whichv meshes with a gear I11. The latter is, in turn, fixed to, or

formed integrally with the sun gear 3.

Similarly, the gear I13 which meshes with gear I44. drives the register I13 which records the number of gallons dispensed from the other of the two tanks.

Thus, the tank wagon driver who removes the tokens or checks from the apparatus D knows, for instance, that when eleven tokens are collected, 550 gallons of liquid have been removed from the two tanks. By reading the registers I15 and I19 he can see that 100gallons have been removed from the single pump tank which may be designated in any suitable way, as b colored fill pipe whichcorresponds with the color of the register or by suitable marks or characters, and, that the remainder has been drawn from the double pump tank. Thus, he will know how much each tank will receive and there will be no danger of overflowing either tank.

When the collection is completed and the driver has the necessary information he resets the re ister to zero for subsequent operation.

General operation In order to dispense liquid from any one of the units A, it is first necessary that a credit balance exist in favor of the operator on the check operated apparatus D; otherwise, the switch I9 will be open and the circuit will be broken through all of the dispensing units. If this switch is open it will be necessary for the operator to first insert a token in D to obtain a credit balanc in his favor.

He may then close any one of the switches I4 and dispense liquid through the apparatus. At

the same time, another operator may use another of the devices A without interfering with the system.

As liquid passes through the meter 1, the shaft I3 is rotated. in this case, four revolutions for every gallon dispensed and, consequently, there will be four impulses sent over the circuit 23, 2|, I9, I3, I4, I3, 49, I2, I1, 23, I4, 22 and 25 for every gallon oi liquid dispensed. This means that the associated solenoid and operating mechanism, for instance, the ratchet 9|, will be actuated four timesper gallon, and this complete rotation of the ratchet will result in a half revolution of differential carrier I2I and in a quarter revolution of carrier I49; but since the gearing between the latter and the shaft I31 is four to one, the shaft will be advanced a full revolution.

Actuation of the ratchet I91 by the second apparatus A will produce, a like result,

Four successive actuations of the ratchets 9i and I31 simultaneously would produce a full revolution of spider I2I, a half revolution of spider I49 and-two full revolutions oi, shaft I 61.

Actuation of ratchet I33 a full revolution produces a quarter revolution of spider I49 and hence a full revolution of shaft I91.

Actuation of either-ratchet M or III1- simultaneously with ratchet I33 through four successive actuations produces a half revolution of. spider I49, hence two full revolutions of shaft I51.

cessive ,actuations each.- The ratchets 9I and I31 combine to give-the spider I49 9. half turn, as

, explained above; while the ratchet I33 operating alone gives the spider a quarter turn. These movements are additive so that the spider will 1 be given a three-quarter turn and shaft I" will be driven three full revolutions.

As soon as the credit set up on the check controlled apparatus D is exhausted, the switch Is will be opened and all oi! the dispensing devices will be stopped irrespective of the closed condition of switches ll.

It is obvious that ii a number of dispensing units A are connected to a particular tank and others in the same system are connected to other tanks, the registers I15, I18 may be connected by gearing to the particular point in the additive gear system where the movements of the respective solenoids have been compounded.

For instance, it in the system shown one pump A is connected to a tank and the other pumps are connected to a different tank, the system would be arranged so that ratchet I38 is operated by the first pump and ratchets 8i and I01 are operated by the other pumps. The register for the first tank would accordingly be driven by the gearing between ratchet I33 and gear I41, while a single register connected to the gearing between spider III-and gear Ill would serve to indicate the liquid removed from the second tank.

The object of this, of course, is to save computation by, and prevent possible error on the part of the truck driver. The registers I indicate at once to the truck operator the amount or liquid which can be placed in the tanks buried in the particular station being served.

It is apparent that various changes may be made in the size, i'orm, construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention: and accordingly, applicants do not desire to be limited to the specific forms herein described by way of illustration, but instead, desire protection falling reasonably within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a liquid dispensing system the combination of liquid storage means, a plurality of liquid dispensers connected to said storage means, each dispenser comprising a meter, a device connected to control the operation of all of said dispensers, a. check presettable stop apparatus associated with said control device and adapted to condition it to permit operation of said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted, and means for connecting the meters of all of said dispensers to actuate said apparatus to reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid dispensed through each meter.

2. In a liquid dispensing system, the combination of locked liquid storage means, a plurality of liquid dispensers each comprising a meter and each connected to draw liquid from said storage means and discharge it through said meter, a device connected with, and operable to permit or prevent operation of said dispensers, a check presettable stop apparatus associated with said device and adapted to condition it to permit operation of said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted, and means operable by said meters and connected toactuate said apparatus to reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid dispensed through the meter of each dispenser, I

3. In a liquid dispensing system the combination of liquid storage means. a plurality of liq- 8 uid dispensers connected to said storage means and operable at will to dispense liquid therefrom, a device connected to control the operation of all of said dispensers, a presettable stop apparatus associated with said control device and adapted to condition it to permit operation 0! said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted, and means for connecting all of said dispensers with said apparatus to actuate it to simultaneously reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid dispensed through each.

4. In a liquid dispensing system the combination of liquid storage means, a plurality of liquid dispensers connected to said storage means, a device connected to control the operation of all of said dispensers, a check presettable stop apparatus associated with said control device and adapted to condition it to permit operation oi said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted, and means for connecting all of said dispensers to reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid dispensed through each, said connecting means comprising actuating units, one associated with each dispenser and actuated thereby, differential means connected to be driven by said units and connected to drive said check controlled apparatus in proportion to the sum oi the actuations of said units.

5. In a liquid dispensingsystem, the combination of a plurality of storage tanks, a plurality of liquid dispensers each connected to draw liquid from a tank, a device connected with said dispensers and operable to and from operation permitting and preventing positions, a check presettable stop apparatus associated with said device and adapted to operate it to operation permitting position to permit operation of said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to operation preventing position to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted, means to reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid-dispensed through each dispenser, said means comprising actuating units,

one associated with each dispenser and actuated thereby, differential means connected to be driven by the units associated with the dispensers connected with the same tank, said differential means being connected to actuate a register and said apparatus in proportion to the sum or the individual actuations of said associated units.

6. Inv a liquid dispensing system, the combination of a plurality of storage tanks, a plurality of liquid dispensers each connected to draw liquid from a tank, a device connected with, and operable to permit or prevent operation of said dispensers, a checkpresettable stop apparatus associated with said device and adapted to condition it to permit operation or said dispensers when a credit is set up on said apparatus and to operate said device to prevent operation of said dispensers when said credit is exhausted and means to reduce the credit set up on said apparatus in proportion to the liquid dispensed through each dispenser, said means comprising actuating units, one associated with each dispenser and actuated thereby, diflerential means connected to be driven by the units associated with the dispensers connected with the same tank, said diflerential 9 means being connected to actuate a register in proportion to the sum of the individual actuations of said associated units, and additional-diiferential means connected to be driven by said first named diiferential means and connected to drive said check controlled apparatus in proportion to the sum of the actuations of all. of the actuating units.

7. In a liquid dispensing system comprising storage means, a plurality of dispensers connected with said means, an impulse transmitting system associated with each dispenser, each system comprising an impulse actuated motor disposed at a central station, control means adapted to prevent operation of said dispensers, comprising a control element located at said station and movable to operation preventing position, and means actuated by said motors for moving said control element to said position after a predetermined amount of liquid has passed through said dispensers.

8. In a liquid dispensing system comprising storage means, a plurality of dispensers connected with said means, an impulse transmitting system associated with each dispenser, each system comprising an impulse actuated motor disposed at a central station, control means adapted to prevent operation of said dispensers, comprising a control element located at said station and movable tooperation preventing position, and means actuated by said motors for moving said control element to operation preventing position after a predetermined amount of liquid has passed through said dispensers, said last named means comprising a presettable stop mechanism interposed between said motors and said control element.

9. In a liquid dispensing system comprising storage means and a plurality of dispensers connected therewith, each dispenser comprising a meter adapted to be driven in proportion to the liquid dispensed, a circuit for controlling the operation of each dispenser, said circuit including a switch, a presettable stop mechanism for controlling said switch, a plurality of motors connected to drive a differential mechanism which is constructed and arranged to advance said stop mechanism a distance proportional to the sum of the driving effects of said motors, a plurality of meter driven controllers, and a control circuit connecting each motor with an associated controller to cause operation of said motors in time with the meters.

10. In a liquid dispensing system, a liquid dispenser comprising a meter, a manually controlled switch, a register, a motor for operating said register, a circuit for said motor supplied from said switch, a second switch in saidcircuit, and means for operating said last named switch comprising an element mounted for oscillation, a meter driven member adapted to move said element in one direction and to release it for return movement, and means actuated by said element during said return movement for closing said second switch. f'

11. In a liquid dispensing system, a liquid dispenser comprising a meter, a manually controlled switch, a register, a motor .for operating said register, a circuit for said motor supplied from said switch, a second switch in said circuit, and means for operating said last named switch comprising an element mounted for oscillation, a meter driven member adapted to move said element in one direction and to release it for return moveinitial position, and means positioned to be actu ated; by and released from said'element during said return move'mentfor closing and reopening said second switch. I I I 12. In a liquid dispensing system,a register, a motor for operating said register, a meter driven in accordance with the flow of liquid from said system, acircuit for controlling said motor comprising a manually operable switch and a control switch, means for closing said control switch, an actuator adapted to hold said control switch normally open, a reciprocating element, means actuated by said meter for moving said element in one direction from a normal position and for releasing it, means for returning said element to normal position, means on said element adapted to engage and pass beyond said actuator in switch opening direction on the meter driven stroke, and to engage said actuator and move it to switch closing position and to thereafter release it on the return stroke to secure a timed closure of said control switch.

13. In a dispensing system, a liquid dispenser control mechanism comprising a presettable stop mechanism, solenoids adapted to be controlled by electrical impulses, a difierential unit comprising two sun gears, each connected to be driven by. a solenoid a predetermined distance upon each operation, a satellite gear and a carrier therefor, adapted to be driven by said sun gears, and connections between said carrier and said stop mechanism for advancing the latter in proportion to the operations of said solenoids.

14. In a dispensing system, a control mechanism, comprising a presettablev stop mechanism, solenoids adapted to be controlled by electrical impulses, a differential unit comprising two solenoid driven sun gears, each connected to be driven a predetermined distance upon each operation, a satellite gear and a carrier therefor, adapted to be driven by said sun gears and connected to drive a. sun gear of a second diflerential, a third solenoid, means connecting said third solenoid to drive the second sun gear of said second diflerential, a second satellite gear and a carrier therefor, and connections between said last named carrier and said stop mechanism for advancing said stop mechanism in proportion to the operations of said solenoids.

15. In a dispensing system, a control mechanism comprising a presettable stop mechanism, solenoids adapted to be controlled by electrical impulses, a ditferential unit comprising two sun gears, each connected to be driven by a solenoid a predetermined distance upon each operation, a satellite gear and 'a' carrier therefor, adapted to be driven by said sun gears and connected to drive a sun gear of a second diflerential, a third solenoid, means connecting said third solenoid to drive the second sun gear of said seconddiflerential, a second satellite gear and a carrier therefor, connections between said latter carrier and said stop mechanism for advancing said predeterminer in proportion to the operations of said solenoids, and means-for modifying the amplitude of motion imparted by said third solenoid to its'sun gear in one operation to equal that imparted in one operation of any one of the other solenoids-to the other'sun gear of said second diii'erential.

16. In a dispensing system, a control mechanism comprising a presettable stop mechanism, solenoids adapted to be controlled by electrical impulses, a diil'erential. unit comprising two sun gears, each connected to be driven by a solenoid a predetermined distance upon each operation, a satellite gear and a carrier therefor, adapted to be driven by said sun gears and connected to drive a sun gear 01' a second diiierential, a third solenoid, means connectin said third solenoid to drive the second sun gear of said second diflerential, a second satellite gear and a carrier therefor, connections between said carrier and said stop mechanism for advancing the latter in proportion to the operations of said solenoids, and a register connected to be driven in time with each of the sun gears of said second diiierential.

EDMUND W. E. KAMM. JOHN J. DELANEY.

I2 anmnuces CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 697,493 Kelly et a1 Apr. 15, 1902 1,084,632 Heuser Jan. 10, 1914 1,866,523 Alexander July 12, 1932 1,977,781 Blaezemann Oct. 23, 1934 2,049,634 Troutman Aug. 4, 1936 2,051,597 Head Aug. 18, 1936 2,060,674 Hicks Nov. 10, 1936 

